Gridiron Gab Week Seven Preview – New York Jets at New England Patriots

Two 3-3 AFC East teams battle Sunday in Foxboro, as the Pats and Jets continue what has been an interesting rivalry over the past few seasons.

The Jets have been dominated the past three regular seasons meetings, being beaten to the tune of being outscored 112-40. It’s not stopping Jets coach Rex Ryan from putting out a threat that the Jets will beat the Pats.

”I want them to know, and they know, that I think we’re going to beat them,” Ryan said. ”I don’t buy into all that other stuff. Look, I recognize they’re a great football team and (Bill) Belichick‘s a great coach. I’ve never once said he wasn’t, OK, but we’re not going to back down or concede anything.”

If the Jets can get past the Pats, they will have a leg up in the division, as they will be 3-0 against East foes. “I’ve never stopped not thinking about them,” Ryan said. “That’s the team you have to beat to win our division. You always think about them.”

Tom Brady has been lights out vs the Jets in his last four games against them, a 112.7 passer rating and 10 touchdowns, including 329 pass yards and two scoring tosses to tight end Rob Gronkowski last November in a 37-16 win.

New England last lost to the Jets in January 2011’s divisional playoffs, dropping a 28-21 verdict at home.

“A division opponent is critical. We’ve only played one of those games this year,” Brady said. “We play a team that we know pretty well that always gives us challenges defensively. They’re always a very good team. They’re very much a game-plan defense. They’re going to try to figure out what they need to do to stop us and we’ve got to figure out ways to move the ball and really put the ball in the end zone.”

Sunday could finally see Jets fans get their wish, as it seems everyone in NY has been calling to see more of Tim Tebow. Ryan said this week Tebow could see time at running back. Backups Joe McKnight (sprained ankle) and Bilal Powell (separated shoulder) are likely to miss the game, leaving starter Shonn Greene as the only active running back who has received a carry.

The Pats have to stop Greene, who last week gashed the Colts to the tune of a career-high 161 yards. It will put the pressure on Mark Sanchez, who has been very up and down in 2012, more down then up.

Brady has been out and out spectacular vs the Jets, and I think his arm will again lead New England to another win over Ryan and the frustrated Jets.